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SOLD TO THE CEO 77
THE WHITE...Once I met a man in a bar in the Dutch countryside. He had lost his left eye in a fight with another man. I remember thinking how brave he was. Not for fighting, but for fighting until he lost his eye. To not recognize the limits. To not back down.Now I see Angelic coming down the stairs, looking around the first floor of the warehouse. I descend right behind her, absorbing her movements. She's as brave as the man I met at the bar, and she's half his height and weight. She's not afraid to come see me whenever she wants, wherever she is. She doesn't see the limits either.And so I have to think. What differentiates stupidity from courage? How unreasonable has Angelic, or the man at the bar, been?The answer is simple. Brave people don't think too much.- I'll take you home - I announce.She turns to me. Her expression is serious because she doesn't like being ordered around. However, his eyes do not meet mine. She avoids looking at me because every time she does, her chee
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- And may God forgive us our sins - thus Father Bee ends the prayer.The children's choir begins to sing soon after. Today is Sunday, which means everyone in the compound comes to church. I am sitting on one of the last benches in the temple, which allows me to be alone.I close my eyes for a second as I follow the music. Being here is one of the only light things in the last few days. Everything was so intense and complicated.And speaking of intense and complicated...I feel when he sits next to me. He's not close enough to touch me, but I can smell the cool shower and the cologne. His shoe is touching my heel, and if it was anyone else, I'd swear it was a light touch. Yet with him, I know that even the position of his feet is calculated.I don't open my eyes, however, I can imagine him next to me. I don't breathe my own air. I breathe it. I feel it on my skin, because his eyes on me are enough to touch me.The choir's first song ends, and the children soon begin to sing another. I'
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The sides of our bodies are glued together. I know I shouldn't. Detective Pierce alerted me to LeBlanc less than two hours ago. However, why is evil so good?LeBlanc's hand casually rests on the bare part of my leg where the fabric of the dress ends. I catch my breath instantly, looking sideways, partly afraid of being caught, partly drawn to the irreverence.A tingle starts on my skin and creeps all over my body to my toes. It annoys me, because his touch is subtle, almost imperceptible. I shouldn't be so sensitive to the man who didn't even tell me his first name. It proves how right the detective is about me.Leblanc leans in, bringing his face closer. I try to let my breath expire, but it seems to fail when his breath hits the skin of my neck. I continue to stare straight ahead, fearing that my large eyes might betray our recklessness.- Nope. He's not your boyfriend - he whispers - He's not your future fiancé - his hand goes up to my thigh, squeezing until I'm sure his fingers wi
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I'm watching it for the first time. I'm irritated by your territoriality. When did our game become a conquest over the other? Did he think that by kissing me he was passing me off as his own name? Even Elliot wouldn't be such a jerk!I prepare to tell him that, but then the choir finishes singing. The church is absolutely silent as the children return the microphones and Father Abeille stands up. I swallow my words, and my pride, like they're thorns.LeBlanc's green eyes lock on mine, daring me to say what I want.- Children - whispers the priest - Let's say the last prayer. All standing.The whole church stands up, including me and the man next to me.- I'm going to get ready to confess - I'm warning.I prepare to exit on the right so I don't have to pass between LeBlanc and the front seat. However, I stop when I hear his voice, low and soft, say:- Need a priest?I'm freezing. Oh yeah, we've been here before. Him in the confessional, me on the other side, telling truths that wouldn'
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ANGELIC...I toss the full cup of coffee into the nearest trash can as I walk down the college hallway. Definitely the worst coffee I've ever had.It's funny to go back to my normal life and realize that nothing is really normal. Last summer, I walked down that same hallway, but I was a different person. Everything was different, and now... and now LeBlanc exists.I don't like him, however, I like the person I'm with him.My phone vibrates and I take it out of my bag. When I see that it's a call from Margot, I have a huge desire to reuse the call. But given Elliot's illness, the family's media fame, and the detective on our trail, I decide to answer.- Margot ?- Did you read the news this morning? - she growls, without even greeting me.I hear noises in the background, and it reminds me that Elliot's birthday is only a few days away. It wouldn't be Margot Donneli if he didn't throw a big party.- Not yet. What was it? - I ask.I leave the college building. I still have to wait for Sk
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The Persada Club is an extremely elite executive club. You don't necessarily need to have money to attend, but you do need to be in the right place at the right time with the right people. It's one of my favorite clubs in New York. Conducive to doing business, because no one here cares what the other is doing.I place my hand on the base of Angelic's spine. She looks around her, curious as always, anxious as always. Her steps are slow, for she wants to see everything her eyes can reach.After leaving her father's office, she was already in the living room. She was already mine - almost legally - but I politely invited her to come with me.The Persada is on the top floor of one of the steepest buildings in town. The music is loud, but not as loud as in a nightclub. The lighting is dim which facilitates any illegal trade that might take place. And believe me, they are coming.Most people are at tables or in private booths, but some venture onto the dance floor. There are also dancers on
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ANGELIC...When I pull away the least bit, I look into his green eyes. Now the color is so intense that your eyes look black. I can see the anger flash across his face from the tight expression, clenched jaw, and heavy breathing.I have never been afraid of him. Maybe because I never knew what he was really capable of. However, when his hand closes over my hair above my neck and he tugs slightly, keeping my head still as he brings his lips to mine, I wonder: what would LeBlanc do if we were alone?His mouth floats over mine, close enough for me to feel his warm breath.The drink I drank a few minutes ago is starting to take effect. My blood is heating up. Sudden music doesn't matter anymore. The people around us don't matter.- We weren't going to dance? - whisper.- No - he shakes his head - We're going to my house.LeBlanc grabs my wrist and pulls me to the elevator. I'm almost balancing on my heels, but the need rising inside me compels me to follow.That's what I wanted when I got
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ANGELIC...Bought.Like a commodity.Bought. It's simple.I lean my forehead against the icy car window. My head hurts like never before. Now at least I can control the tears of anger.Anger at LeBlanc and Elliot for treating me as one of their contracts. I can even imagine them negotiating my value in the boardroom. But mostly mad at myself. I should have listened to my instincts the first time I met LeBlanc in the White House ballroom. Should have stayed away. I should have listened to Detective Pierce when he warned me.What was I expecting anyway? That someone would look at me and see me as more than an extension of Elliot's business? Absurdity!- To lack? - I hear the call of the taxi driver. I look at him through the rear view mirror, noticing that the car is stopped - We are there - he warns.- Right.I look for pockets on the sides of the dress, then I remember it has none. I look around, slowly realizing that I even forgot my shoes, not to mention my cards. I look at the taxi
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- "What happens now?" Lora questioned.- "Steve will listen to the whole recording countless times" Colton replied, nonchalantly.Both walked side by side to the end of the hall, where the training room was located. The soundproofed room was empty that morning when Colton opened the door, then waited for the redhead to enter.Deep down, that militarized man didn't like what he was doing. Teaching Lora to be an agent, when she hadn't even mentioned that she enjoyed the profession, felt wrong.- "Today is your lucky day. Let's practice some shooting" he commented.Target shooting was an activity that involved testing proficiency and accuracy, foresight and speed. It didn't matter if the shot was short-range or long-range.- "Where do we start?" The redhead questioned.There was a demarcation on the floor of the room, which indicated the place where people should stand, so they could aim at the target and shoot. The distance between the mark and the target was ten meters. Lora positioned
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When she returned to her desk, Lora realized that the reason she left was no longer an issue. Her fame would be irrelevant if she was busy lusting after the one man she shouldn't. The redhead felt her knees weak; the fallen angel's touch was as vivid on her skin as her cells. Drake rose to pull out the chair for her, elegantly and gracefully. For strangers, thinking of them as a pair was automatic. - "I said you would be my key ring at events, but I think the key ring is me" he commented as he sat down with his friend, who held back a laugh. They both focused on stage as the musicians finished a classical melody, giving space to the master of ceremonies. - "Ladies and gentlemen, we hope you are having a pleasant evening. The starters will be served now, then we will have a greeting from the host" and, after an elegant gesture, the music reverberated through the environment, along with the murmur of voices in conversation private. - "You're a little flushed, but you don't seem to b
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Home to the most acclaimed films in the cinematographic world, the city of angels was more an environment of pretense and performance than of pleasure. The venues, as luxurious and elegant as they were, didn't exude money like Vegas. And neither should they. For Los Angeles, Hollywood's legacy was enough. The events were also an appropriate time to reaffirm ties of influence and show the world that, in addition to money, guests had contacts. It was a confidential agreement between the American stars; be at the top and help those who were at the top to stay. In the backseat of the limousine, Jean, Drake, and Lora waited outside the Roosevelt. One of the most famous hotels among the stars of the red carpet. At first, it would just be a dinner among the cast that made up the film, but it ended up becoming the reason for a small gathering of photographers. - "You're quite famous" Drake smiled at Jean. - "It seems so" the older man looked out, seeing all those people worshiping his name
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The city lights of Los Angeles were what lit up the world in dark times. The future was in the skyscrapers and in their grandeur. Every building on the outskirts of the city that never slept had a purpose; show your power. The Roosevelt Hotel was an interesting setting. With its white facade and large rounded supporting pillars, the building had a modern look. Its interior was no different, boasting an abundance of elegance. The chandeliers in the various rooms, the pure marble floors and the superior suites with indoor pools were signs of a fortune. In the master bedroom bathroom, in one of the city's most sought-after hotels, Evans Donovan was finishing lining up his bow tie in a millimeter way on his tuxedo. He surveyed his reflection, looking for flaws that anyone else wouldn't notice. But that man was obsessed with perfection in the details. His attire, as usual, was entirely dark. The only glow on her figure came from the silver rings on her fingers. When there was a knock on
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ANGELIC...The sun's rays hit my face, making me wake up. For the last few days, we've slept with the balcony doors open, listening to the sound of waves crashing against the ocean's horizon. This has been my paradise; sleep and wake up on this island.I open my eyes, looking around the room for Aaron. He's always the first thing I look for, the first thing on my mind from the first minute of the day. He's not here, but he's left an arrangement of lilies on the bedside table instead.I get up, pluck a flower from the arrangement, and spin it around, studying the white petals. I'm invaded by an old memory, which used to hurt a lot. I was twelve years old, and right after my mother's wake, I was in the garden at home. I was devastated after losing her, not only to her death but knowing that it meant I would be alone. And for a twelve-year-old girl, being alone in such a big house was really cruel.I thought I loved my family. I was so loyal to each one of them that I believed I loved th
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LEBLANC...Technology always amazes me. The way the world evolves, even if people don't follow the same path. And with that said, I'd like to point out one technology in particular: the Ferris wheel.Yes, the ferris wheel. Let's talk about her then.A large hoop of reinforced iron, with booths hanging from it, revolving endlessly to the right. Fast enough to entertain people, slow enough not to make you queasy. Simply fascinating, especially considering the colorful light show around.'I thought it was charming too,' Angelic says, interrupting my thoughts about George Ferris, the creator of the Ferris wheel.- What? I ask.- The ferris wheel. I was fascinated by her as a child.I look at Angelic, who is in front of me. I can visualize her child version, maybe with a bow in her hair. I can almost see her, tiny, staring at the ferris wheel, marveling at everything the curious eyes of a normal child can reach.However, on the other hand, I don't think she can have the same vision of me.
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LEBLANC...She's looking at me, her big blue eyes expectant, making me feel like the worst person in the world. Hope glimmers in every blink, and I, like the asshole that I am, am about to lie to Angelic.- And then? she asks as she holds me transfixed with her disgracefully beautiful eyes.Being a good liar doesn't mean I enjoy lying, and more, it doesn't mean I enjoy lying to her. However, I have no options left. I nod my head, because I believe false gestures are less cruel than false words."Just be honest," she pleads.No. No way.I'm leaning against the kitchen jamb, meanwhile, Angelic is behind the counter, in front of the stove. In my right hand is something she just cooked. Angelic said they were chocolate chip cookies. She said they were Christmas cookies. But honestly, I still haven't found the taste of chocolate, just burnt dough and sadness. This is really bad. In fact, bad is an understatement. It's a disgrace.- It is very bad? She frowns.Right now, Angelic is the most
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ANGELIC...When we got off the helicopter, the entrance doors to the house were already open. LeBlanc carries me in his arms, because I fell asleep at some point on the trip. This is explainable, as we took a short drive and then simply traveled to an island. He told me something about being a private person, but I couldn't imagine how much.I still feel half my brain asleep, so I don't even flinch at being held. I'm tired of tonight. In fact, in addition to being tired, I am resentful.I do my best to capture the details of the house. It appears to be an old building, with details reminiscent of castles. This suits LeBlanc as he appears to have king syndrome.'You live on an island,' I say. My words sound drunk with sleep."I don't like neighbors," he argues, making me smile.- Sounds arrogant.- Looks? – He looks at me – Make no mistake, I am.I snuggle into his chest as he heads upstairs. The place is so silent that it seems to be beyond the world. It looks like a bubble, where onl
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THE WHITE...I don't knock on the door, I just turn and push the handle. The Bellagio is famous for representing elite scum, and this room represents that taxation well. There are black leather couches on either side, a bar to the right, and a bottle of tequila on every square foot.I find Benjamin sitting on one of the sofas. First his eyes fall on me casually, then they stare at me. He is part of this little group that would dance on my grave.- Where are the good manners? – he asks, puffing out the smoke from his cigarette – I think old LeBlanc will remember that I don't change my face to kill a bastard.Nothing like old friends.- We can skip the threat part. I know them all.I close the door behind me and step forward. I sit down on the sofa across from him. The contrast between us is interesting. His excessive alcohol consumption, the clothes that make him look like he's just been in prison, the numerous tattoos and the cigarette. I'm very surprised Benjamin didn't already die i
